The Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE will accelerate innovation for the rapid and unmanned exploration of the uncharted deep sea; catalyze markets in deep ocean exploration and discovery, sustainable resource development, and protection; illuminate the most mysterious part of the planet; and ignite the public imagination.

Having seen what the teams are proposing, if this competition is a success, there is no doubt in my mind that we will have made history by collectively changing this world and, within our lifetimes, be able to unveil what has been hidden since the start of human memory.

Dr. Jyotika Virmani

Prize Lead

Having seen what the teams are proposing, if this competition is a success, there is no doubt in my mind that we will have made history by collectively changing this world and, within our lifetimes, be able to unveil what has been hidden since the start of human memory.

Dr. Jyotika Virmani

Prize Lead

The Grand Challenge

Access to the deep ocean has been limited by the extraordinary physical challenges of exploring this extreme environment, high costs, limited technological advancements and lack of investment.

How to Win

The winning ocean exploration solution must launch from shore or air and, with restricted human intervention, explore the competition area (at depths of 2000 and 4000 meters) to:

Shell Ocean Discovery XPRIZE Finalists

$1M NOAA BONUS PRIZE

The NOAA Bonus Prize incentivizes the development of technologies that can detect a chemical or biological signal underwater and autonomously track it to its source.